A Kailua-Kona man facing multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in connection with stabbings in May and June in Hilo and Kona will be held without bail.
Chito K. Asuncion appeared Monday afternoon in Kona District Court before Per Diem Judge Bruce Larson for a hearing on a state motion to hold the defendant without bail pending the outcome of the case.
The 24-year-old has been in police custody since his arrest on June 7 in lieu of $1.5 million bail.
Prosecutors argued there is serious risk that Asuncion would flee or not appear as directed because he is accused of a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole in calling for no bail.
The defense requested a continuance, also submitting that there was no release plan in place had Asuncion been able to post bail.
Larson subsequently granted the state’s motion to hold Asuncion without bail.
Asuncion will remain at Hawaii Community Correctional Center pending his next court hearing set for July 20 when he is due back in Kona District Court for a hearing on mental fitness. During that hearing, the court will review reports from a panel of three psychiatrists on Asuncion’s fitness to stand trial.
Asuncion is facing two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count first-degree murder in connection with the series of stabbings in East and West Hawaii that began May 17.
The first-degree murder was added because Asuncion is alleged to have killed more than one person.
Asuncion was arrested June 7 in Kailua-Kona after Hawaii Police Department investigators identified the 24-year-old as a suspect in the murder of a 48-year-old Boyd Maygra, who’s body was found around 6 a.m. that morning at Hale Halawai Park in Kailua Village.
Police said Maygra suffered multiple stab wounds.
While conducting the investigation into Maygra’s slaying, detectives linked Asuncion to three other crimes, including the alleged murder of 63-year-old Kailua-Kona man Brian Macaulay on May 17.
Macaulay’s body was found that morning behind the Kailua-Kona Post Office, near the Palani Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway intersection. Police said Macaulay was also stabbed to death.
“My brother didn’t deserve this,” said Bob Macaulay, Brian’s younger and only brother, the day Asuncion was charged.
“He had mental health issues in his mid 20s, he had mild schizophrenia.” Macaulay said his brother preferred to sleep outdoors due the mental health issues, which could have made him a prime target. For him to be murdered in that fashion has been tough.”
Asuncion is also accused of two stabbings in May in Hilo.
The first Hilo incident was reported May 25 by a 59-year-old Hilo man who reported being stabbed by an unknown male party. The victim was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries and later released.
The second Hilo stabbing occurred May 30.
That incident involved the assault of a 70-year-old Hilo woman who also reported being stabbed by an unknown individual.
She was also transported to the Hilo Medical Center for treatment and was still receiving treatment Monday.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Asuncion faces life behind bars without the possibility of parole.